EPL Talk Podcast Weekend Review Show, Open Thread

Bolton Wanderers crushed Arsenal’s title hopes Sunday after a late winner. Chelsea were on song against West Ham United. And Manchester United moved one big step closer to claiming the Premier League title.

These are just a few of the stories from a busy Premier League weekend. To talk about that, as well as the relegation battle, the race to qualify for Europe, and a look ahead to the Champions League next week, Kartik Krishnaiyer and Laurence McKenna will join me, The Gaffer, for our weekly review show.

We won’t be livestreaming the show today. But we’ll still kick it off at 5pm ET. So be sure to send in your questions and comments. The best ones will be mentioned on-air (when the show is released later tonight).

What do you want discussed on this edition of the EPL Talk podcast? The show is always better when you’re guiding the content, so please use the comments or Twitter, email and let us know where to go.

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About The Author

Publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris founded the site in 2005. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who was born and raised in Wales, has lived in Florida since 1984, and supported Swansea City since 1979. Last but not least, he got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.

10 Comments

[OPTI]Madschester UnitedApril 24, 2011

Here’s the updated stats after Arsenal’s loss to Bolton!
The probability that United win the EPL title is 90%
The probability that Chelsea win the title is 9.5%
The probability that Arsenal win the title is 0.5%

Arsenal are extremely unlikely to win. For Arsenal win they need:
1. Beat United and win remaining three games (not so likely)
2. United must drop 6 or more pts (from remaining three games) (maybe chelsea – 3 pts – but very unlikely against Blackburn or Blackpool)
3. Chelsea must lose 3 or more pts (from remaining three non-United games) (maybe Everton away, but unlikely)

1. Chelsea in second place. The same Chelsea was briefly out the top 4 at some point during the season. it is to be seen if Torres scoring will break him out of his slump.
2. Arsenal has made a mess of things again. if Wenger wasn’t being so stubborn, they would have had some silverware this season. Watching Arsenne Wenger so agitated during the games further accentuate the issues the plaguing Arsenal. I don’t think I’ve seen Wenger this agitated. In fact, Redknapp called him a “nutter” just a week ago.
3. Carlos Tevez will be sold in the summer. I think that Mancini too knows that the team will survive without him that is why you don’t see him really eager to have him Tevez back in time for the FA Cup Final. How much do you guys think Tevez will be sold for? to who? Can somebody advise Mancini to quit buying strikers and look for guys to service the strikers he already have? or to get another left back? Mancini seems to think that strikers can create goals out of thin air and dont need midfielders and wingers to service them.
4. The premier league will be really strong at top next year. Man UTD, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Tottenham and Liverpool will have really strong teams next year. Given their play of late and that all those teams intend to strengthen their squads next year, i just can’t imagine how hard it will be to make it in the top 4 next year. Or should UEFA give an extra CL spot to the EPL given how strong those 6 teams are projected to be next season.
5. Fabregas will/should be sold this summer. he has undermined the manager in that Don balon interview. Now i see why Denilson said that Fabregas doesn’t have leadership qualities. Fabregas complained that players dont have anybody to look up to. Shouldn’t he have been teaching the things he learned from past players to the current players?? Not to mention he said that Wenger would have been sacked if it was in Spain.

1. Isn’t Chicharito a more deserving winner of the PFA Player of the year Award than Gareth Bale? If the vote was taken now, rather than in February, would Bale still win? And how about Scott Parker being named Player of the year by the English Press? Do they realize without him his team would still be in the same place? And that’s called “last?”

2. Is Chelsea really playing better football, or have they just hit a patch of easier opposition? I though West ham gave as good as they got for much of yesterday’s match, and some of Chelsea’s other recent victories have included a 1-nil home victory against Wigan. What gives? Do they really still have a title shot?

Arsenal have been very wasteful recently. They had plenty of opportunities to close the gap on Man Utd and did not take them. I feel sorry for the Arsenal fans but the truth is Wenger need to add more experienced and ambitious players who are medal winners. Playing beautiful soccer is nice but winning trophies is more important. Abandon or alter the youth team project and experience to start winning cups again.

Talk about the race for fourth. Most Spurs fans realistically think that they’ve blown their chance to return to the Champions Leagur next season after giving up a late goal vs. West Brom. Does City have it in the bag or do Spurs still have a realistic shot at coming in fourth? What are the long term implications of a high-spending City making the CL next season? Will that cement their place in the top 4 for the forseeable future as some have said?

Yeah, it must be said, I was annoyed (naturally, as a fan) at how Kartik was continually writing off Arsenal, but he only saw the future more clearly and most Arsenal fans were just hoping hoping hoping. This season ended after that Newcastle draw and the Carling Cup final just put the nail in the coffin. It’s tragic because this team truly had what it takes to have claimed the title the season but like Saeed Bapoo perfectly said, they failed to close the gap time and time again. The past two months have been utter underachieving. Then again, one must remember that this squad isn’t exactly ideal.. Defensively it could use some work. The defense isn’t as strong as the attack and that’s the problem.

Anyway, we made it so easy for Man Utd to run away with it, despite their losing to Wolves, Chelsea, Liverpool and drawing at Newcastle. Jesus Christ.. it’s depressing just thinking about it.

A Question to Lawrence Mckenna ?
=> With the recent momentum, involvement of youth, and a great team spirit around the club. What Steps should Liverpool undertake to seriously challenge for the title or at least champions league places next season.